The Blog of Adrian Hollister

It's that time of the year when satsumas, oranges and the like are adorning our fruit bowls and there is a handy by product of eating these sweet delights - the peel.  I know it can be candied and used as an air freshener, but for me they represent great value as fire lighters.  Ok, so this only applies if your lighting a fire, but for those solid fuel stoves out there, keep all your peel and let it dry.  I put them on a south facing window sill and leave them for a couple of weeks, harder the better.  Anyway, once dry they make excellent fire lighters and with quite an intense heat they are easily enough to get kindling going.

So, my money saving tip for the winter, keep your orange peel, dry it out and use it to light a wonderfully warming winter fire. 

Posted by Adrian Hollister

The Green Party ahead of Liberal Democrats in new poll

 

The Green Party are surging ahead of the Liberal Democrats according to the latest voter intention figures published by ComRes. Public support for the Liberal Democrats has declined dramatically thanks to a growing disillusionment with the coalition government over controversial NHS reforms, cuts in housing and education and a U-turn on tuition fees.

The report coincides with another election poll released earlier this year by polling company, Marketing Means, which revealed a large swing to the Green Party in March this year.  However, while previous voter intention surveys such as Market Means have indicated the Green vote is increasing, the new ComRes report which came out on the 16th October 2011 proves that the Green Party is now a real alternative for traditionally Liberal Democrat voters.

Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party recently called on disaffected Liberal Democrats to look to the Greens, saying:

 "I have a special message for those Lib Dem supporters who are beginning to despair of the path their leadership has taken them down. If you became involved in politics to serve your local community, to protect the environment, or to challenge inequality, then join us.”

The ComRes report coincides with another election poll released in March this year by polling company, Marketing Means which revealed a large swing to the Green Party.

The report shows when asked if voting were compulsory, 7% of those asked would vote Green, where only 6% would vote Lib Dem.  The same question indicated a decrease in support for the Conservative Party, with 15% choosing Labour compared to 13% saying they would probably vote Conservative.

Posted by Adrian Hollister